Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!


"Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!" is a song composed by Abe Olman, lyricized by Ed Rose, and published by Forster Music Publisher, Inc. The music was copyrighted 7 February 1917 and the copyright was renewed 29 December 1944. Under the Copyright Term Extension Act, the sheet music is in the public domain, as is all music published in the U.S. prior to 1923. Its melody and structure form the basis of a self-calling circle dance, using square dance steps and popular in summer camps.

Lyrics

; Original lyrics, 1917, by Ed Rose
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; World War I patriotic version, 1917, lyrics added by Raymond A. Sherwood
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; Self-Calling circle dance version, date unknown

Inspiration for the song

According to an August 1945 United Press article, Ed Rose wrote the song when his friends, Mr. and Mrs. John Hansen of Akron, Ohio, began dating while attending college in Indiana. They were so conspicuously in love that Rose, also their classmate, wrote the song about them and presented them with the original manuscript.

Notable recordings

Filmography

Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love, directed by Charles Lamont, Universal PicturesSpotlight Scandals, directed by William BeaudineSwing Shift Cinderella, directed by Tex AveryThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
  • "Blitz"

Original publications

  • ''Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh,''

Sheet music (public domain)

See sheet music collections: